Baoba Stereo Club (BSC) are now a quartet. If you'd asked this back in 2009, I would say a duo, and a bit afterwards a trio.
The outstanding multi-instrumentalist Maurício Takara (Hurtmold, SP Underground / Rob Mazurek, M.Takara 3) is now a full-time member of the band, although this wasn't the first time they collaborated: what started as a track remix on BSC first EP, culminates on the perfect natural fusion of personalities and styles.
Similar to their Brazilian roots, their music is a reflex of their country, of all the different people living close to them in São Paulo, and the overwhelming combination of Latin rhythms. From the subtle notes of Samba to Bossa, their contemporary style swings between the realms of Contemporary Jazz and Free Jazz, with noticeable hints of what would be a Jazzy-Rock fusion to a more open Instrumental Rock sound. As the Brazilian flag motto, I dare to say that Baoba are a physical representation of "Ordem e Progresso" ("Order and Progress"), naively experimenting through different soundscapes and building one of the most original sounds of Brazil.
Quoting the music journalist Eduardo Ribeiro, that once stated BSC as an "instrumental cinematic experience", it's important to highlight Abre Caminhos, the first track from the EP, that showcases the complete fusion of genres of the band and that was part of the OST of the Brazilian documentary Ilegal. Nothing new when you consider BSC had already sculpted the audio story for the Argentinian movie Hoy La Pelicula, with the track Joanita.
In this record, Henrique Diaz signs the guitars, Bruno Gold takes care of the piano, and Paulo Soares handles the percussion and drums. The newcomer Takara, accounts for the trumpet while graciously juggling the synthesizers. The artwork was made by the great plastic artist and cartoonist Rafael Coutinho, famously known for releases at Cia das Letras and pieces at the show Choque Cultural.
Originally released in 2013 in CD (Desmonta) and on an extremely limited 10'' vinyl (Desmonta / UnWork / Fatiado Discos) of 200 copies, this EP has now been reissued in Europe by A Traineira. A limited edition of 350 copies has been made available for their new European tour, pressed from the original masters in heavyweight vinyl and maintaining the original graphics.
Certainly if you're a fan of bands such as Hurtmold, SP Underground, Mouse On The Keys, Jagga Jazzist, etc, or if you have a soft spot for the subgenres of Jazz and all of their iterations, this is undoubtedly a record that will appeal to you.
(by Carlos Sol)
credits
released July 1, 2015
Written and performed live by Bruno Gold (piano), Henrique Diaz (guitar), Maurício Takara (synth, trumpet), and Paulo Soares (drums).
Recorded at Estudio El Rocha by the Takara family.
Mixed and Mastered by Fernando Sanches at Estudio El Rocha .
Artwork made by Rafael Coutinho .
Typography and additional design by André Sirgado.
This heady trio cranks out driving, electronic-tinged power jazz. It's a raucous party that's a bit free and a touch punk. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 20, 2015
